DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE FOR JANUARY

At this threshold of a new year, I am honored to address you today, filled with hope, optimism, and a renewed sense of purpose.

 

This moment presents an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments, re-evaluate our goals, and rededicate ourselves to the ideals of Rotary.

 

In this year of "Irresistible Magic," let us continue to spread joy, kindness, and hope wherever we go. Let us remain focused on our core values: Fellowship, Service Above Self, Diversity, Integrity, and Leadership. Let us continue to nurture our friendships, support one another, and work together to address the pressing needs of our world.

 

As District Governor, I pledge to support each of you to make a meaningful impact. Let us work together to achieve our goals, to grow our membership, and to enhance our service to humanity.

 

Let us share our own "Magic of Rotary" stories, highlighting the transformative power of our work in communities around the world. Let us inspire others to join us in our quest to create lasting change.

 

I encourage each of you to get involved, to take ownership of our district's initiatives, and to make a meaningful contribution. Together, we can achieve great things.

 

As we look forward to the new year, we must not forget to take stock of our accomplishments and successes in the first half year of our term. Many significant activities dotted our landscape that need to be mentioned.

 

We kickstarted the frenzy of activities with a thanksgiving service at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja and thereafter commenced the official Club visits. A few days later witnessed the foundation laying ceremony of the star project, the Sickle Cell disease Centre building.

 

The District Governor’s installation ceremony at the Balmoral Event Centre on 6 July 2024 was a watershed in terms of the calibre and quality of attendees, fundraising success, event packaging and profit making.

 

Immediately after this, installation ceremonies of irresistible presidents and induction of Board took off in grand style amidst funfair and camaraderie.

 

Sandwiched between these two activities were other official engagements that were equally remarkably important.

 

A synopsis of these events is as follows:

 

2 Council of Governors meetings.

 

This took place at the conducive environment of Sea School Apapa

It recorded a high turnout of participants

An interesting array of professional stars and resource personalities.

 

Our District was represented by a strong delegation comprising DG and Spouse, DGE

and Spouse, DGN and Chairs of DRFC, DMC and DLF.

PDGs Olawale-Cole and Patrick Ikheloa also in attendance

New RI Director elected for Zone 22

 

The DG Speaks, monthly; 6 uninterrupted editions so far

 

The DG monthly Newsletter, electronic and hard copy

 

            Monthly

            Extremely resourceful and educative

 

Inauguration of various Committees, including the District Manual of Policy and District Governor Nominee Scoring Scheme.

 

World Polio Day activities held in Lagos and Abeokuta

            DG attended the National celebration in Port Harcourt

 

Inbound from District 9213 and 9214

Outbound to District 1145 UK

 

            Took place in Ghana

            District represented by DG, Committee Chair and many other Rotarians

 

            Daily celebration of significant life events

            Quarterly birthday celebration

            Visit to Modupe Cole Home with donation of gift items

            Gift to widows of deceased Rotarians

            Christmas carol service

 

Rotarians above 70 years were treated to a fellowship of fun, experience-sharing, storytelling, dance and dining

 

            This brought together Rotarians from every part of the District.

            It was a day to remember for the networking, intense fellowship, wining and dining,

music and dancing.

 

The event brought together families of Rotary (Rotaractors and interactors) and spouses and children

The environment provided the right ambience for interaction and relaxation with various games and sports.

 

            Rotary Club of Lagos NorthWest was presented with charter certificate in December

            The first and only Rotary Club formed so far

           

 

            Our student, Joy Onyinye Nwokedi, sponsored by Rotary Club of Amuwo, has arrived

Germany for the 12-month program

 

Strategic partnership discussions with the following organisations:

            ProvidusBank

            Tolaram Group

            Fenchurch Group

 

            This was organised by Rotary Club of Victoria Island East

            Our District was represented by DG and other golfers

 

            Grants

            Zonal Multi Club Learning Faculties 1, 2 and 3

            Membership

            Basic Education and Literacy

            Economic Empowerment Programme, with 30 people empowered with =N=100,000 each

            Vocational Service

            Public image

Women in Rotary, with celebration of the Girl-Child Day

            Rotary Foundation

            Disease Prevention and Treatment, with outreach on Breast and Cervical Cancer at Ikeja

and Abeokuta

 

Meetings were held with var#ious groups including Irresistible Presidents, Assistant Governors, Zonal Coordinators, Action Champions, DEWEF

 

            Star project

            Building funded mainly by proceeds from the DGs installation ceremony

            Funds from corporate bodies, Clubs, Rotarians, friends and family members of DG

            Roofing of the building completed ahead of timeline

            Equipping and furnishings through Global Grant

 

            Signature project

3 months of online and in-campus study on Peace building and conflict prevention

            1^st set of 30 students resumed on 13 December 2024 during the official flag off

            2^nd set to resume on 1^st February 2025

            1^st set fully sponsored by Rotarian Chief Osunkeye, Rotary Club of Ikeja

            2^nd set already paid for by Ace Medicare Clinics Limited, Ota

           

           

As of 31 December 2024, our membership plummeted to 2223. The figure is a significant drop from the figure in previous months, reflecting widespread deletion of members by Clubs for various reasons especially non-payment of annual dues.

This has had a serious negative effect on our District’s membership profile in the Zone and RI.

I urge presidents to promptly replace all the deleted members so that our profile can spring back.

 

January RI exchange rate: $1 to =N=1547

 

Total giving:                $116,749.15 represented by:

Annual Fund:              $101,142.27

Polio:                           $13,606.88

Endowment:                $ 2,000

 

Altogether, 51 Clubs have been visited as of 31 December 2024.

Most of the Clubs that have not been visited have asked for change of dates for various reasons.

Of recent, there has been an inspiring increase in the willingness to contribute to the Rotary Foundation. I appreciate the many Rotarians who have paid or pledged to pay for PHF.

I also appreciate those Clubs with 100% payment of $10/member Polio fund.

To date, no Club has paid the $1,500 Polio Club levy.

To encourage subscription to PHF, the District is matching contribution of $500 with 500 recognition points. The response to this has been phenomenal and this will be reflected in the District’s statistics in a couple of weeks.

 

 

 

Past Rotary International President Mark Maloney and Spouse Gay will be visiting

Nigeria between 15 and 20 January 2025, (Abuja 15 to 18, and Lagos from 18 to 20

January 2025)

Activities lined up include Town Hall meeting with Rotarians, visit to Indo Eye Care

Foundation, probable visit to Lagos State Governor and a ticketed dinner at Radisson Blu Hotel)

 

In collaboration with Eye Foundation Hospital Limited, our District is pursuing a goal of 1000 cataract surgeries.

During the courtesy visit to the Hospital Management and implementation team, the terms of the collaboration were defined and the strategies for screening and surgical operations outlined.

The Committee, headed by PAG Jerry Aighessi, will soon unfold the details of the screening centres and the various dates for the operations.

 

            This event takes place on 16 February 2025

It is to acknowledge and appreciate Rotarians and others who have contributed generously to doing good in the world through Rotary Foundation

           

 

            23 February is a significant date in Rotary when its 120 years anniversary will be

celebrated.

Rotarians who have contributed $120 to celebrate the 120 years will be recognised

 

 

District 9111 Rotary Sports Festival (ROSFEST) was officially launched at an impressive ceremony on Friday 29 November 2024.

The occasion was honoured with the presence of DGE 9112 Lanre Adedoyin (representing DG Femi Adenekan), PDG Omotunde Lawson, PAG Ade Oyenekan, and all Core Team and Sports Committee members.

The logo of the Sports Festival was unveiled and the torch was also lighted at the memorable ceremony.

Details of the different events will be unveiled soon.

 

 

Many Rotarians have already been issued visas for the purpose of attending the Calgary convention.

It is hoped that majority of the names sent to the embassy will be successful following the rigorous criteria employed for the screening by the Committee.

As a result of our partnership with ProvidusBank, five of the bank’s staff will join us in Calgary. Our booth at the convention will be branded by the bank which will also provide branded T-shirts for the entire D9111 delegation.

 

Date 29th May - 1st June 2025

Arrangements are being intensified towards hosting a very successful and exciting District Conference

House of Friendship booths are fully booked.

Letters of invitation have been sent out to Chair, guests, traditional rulers and corporate organisations whilst the use of the hall for the welcome cocktail has been firmly secured by payment.

Interestingly, the inbound Rotary Friendship Exchange Team will be part of the District Conference.

 

            Outbound to District 2440, Turkey, 13 to 23 February 2025

            Inbound from District 7080, Canada, 27 May to 02 June 2025

            Outbound to District 7080, Canada 12 to 19 June 2025

 

            The office opens for business on 06 January 2025 after the two-week break

 

 

As we embark on this new year, I leave you with a message of hope and optimism.

 

Together, let us make this year one of unforgettable moments, meaningful connections, and irresistible magic.

 

Let us continue to be the change-makers, the problem-solvers, and the forces for good in our world.

 

Happy New Year, fellow Rotarians!

 

Thank you very much.

 

Let us make this year unforgettable!

 

Yours in Rotary service,